Matusz’s hot start, Johnson’s dubious mark, Flaherty’s achievement

Brian Matusz hasn’t gone more than 5 2/3 innings in his first three starts, but he needs three outs tonight to clear the sixth.

Matusz is shutting out the Blue Jays on three hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. He’s thrown 71 pitches, 50 for strikes.

It would be great for Matusz to keep it going, but no matter what happens from here, it’s been an encouraging start.

He’s only had one clean inning - the third - but he got a double play in the first after a leadoff walk, got two outs after an infield hit in the second, got two fly balls and a pop up after an infield hit in the fourth, and got a ground ball after J.P. Arencibia’s two-out double in the fifth.

Nick Johnson has grounded out with the count full and flied out with the count full, making him 0-for-25 to tie Ron Hansen’s team record for longest streak of hitless at-bats by a position player to start an Orioles career.

The longest hitless streak to begin an Orioles career overall was pitcher Wes Stock’s 0-for-36 start from April 23, 1959-June 13, 1964.

Johnson’s fly ball allowed Chris Davis to take third base after a walk and Mark Reynolds’ single. Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty followed with a sacrifice fly for his first major league RBI.

Orioles 1, Blue Jays 0.

Reynolds is 3-for-5 since an 0-for-16 slump. He’s still looking for his first home run.

Nolan Reimold extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the fifth.